Jazz Guitarist Composer Arranger Producer Educator
“ A real voice on the guitar with a warmth that’s all his ownâ€
Joe Lovano
“...there can be no doubt that this truly creative and musical young man will continue to be heard from. But don’t wait for his next record - catch him live!â€
Dan Morgenstern
Belgian Jazz guitarist Jeanfrançois Prins’ music is lyrical and passionate. While grounded in hard-swinging Jazz tradition, he enjoys risk-taking improvisation and organic interaction.
Jeanfrançois Prins has spent most of his adult life as a professional musician, composer, arranger, producer; performing, recording, and collaborating with many of today’s Jazz giants. He has also been teaching private instrument lessons, ensembles, and classes in Berlin’s Music Universities for twelve years, where he has been leading the guitar department of the Jazz Institute Berlin, and international workshops, communicating with enthusiasm his passion for this expansive music to the next generations of players.
In early 1999, the Belgian television (RTBF) produced a special documentary feature about his international career, both as a musician and an educator. “Brussels - Berlin - New York - Jeanfrançois Prins†was also aired on the worldwide French language channel TV5 in the summer of 1999.
In the beginning of the year 2000, he was hired, together with Judy Niemack, to compose and perform all the original music for a documentary-film series to be aired on the Discovery Channel in the U.S..
Jeanfrançois Prins has recorded five CDs as a leader. The fourth one, “All Around Townâ€, was conceived as his own musical photo album of New York City. He recorded it in trio with bassist Mike Richmond and drummer Adam Nussbaum, plus saxophonist Lee Konitz as a guest. His latest release “Light†(GAM 918), is co-led by drummer Steve Davis, in trio with bassist Larry Kohut.
Recordings:
N.Y. Stories (1991); Beauty and the Prince (with Judy Niemack and Fred Hersch) (1993); Live (with Lee Konitz) (1996); All Around Town (1998); Light (with Steve Davis) (2001)
As sideman (selected discography):
J.P Gebler Quintet; Jaqueline Renard: Jakie; le Jazz perd le Nord; Mary Kay: Make Someone Happy (1991); New Look Trio and Judy Niemack: Atmosphere; West Music Club: 25th; Jazz Hoeilaart '91; Richard Rousselet Quintet: Waitin’ for You (1993); Lee Konitz: Rhapsody vol. 1 (1993), Rhapsody vol. 2 (1993); Michel Herr: Just Friends (soundtrack) (1994); Shigeko Suzuki: Première (1995); RIAS Big Band + Clark Terry: Duke Ellington Project (1999); Sören Fischer: Don’t Change Your Hair For Me (2000); Judy Niemack: Straight Up (1993),…Night and the Music…(1996), About Time (2003), Blue Nights (2007); Terrassa Big Band: What’s Goin’ On? (2006); Darmon Meader: And So Am I (to be released in 2007); Meike Goosmann: Portraits (2007)
He produced and arranged Judy Niemack’s CDs “About Time†(featuring himself on guitar, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Lee Konitz on saxophone among others), which was released in 2003 on SONY JAZZ, and “Blue Nights†(featuring himself on guitar, Jim McNeely on piano, Dennis Irwin on bass, and Gary Bartz on saxophone among others), which was released in 2007 on Blujazz. He produced The Terrassa Big Band recording “What’s Goin’ On?†feat. Peter Herbolzheimer and Judy Niemack (2006), and master pianist Walter Norris’ brand-new CD “Elements in Motion†(available soon!).
Photos © Maureen Sickler, Jeanpierre Prins, Michel Binstok, Jos Knaepen, Judy Niemack, Geneviève Ruocco, Jessica Raimi, Michele Mari
European tour in April! (See agenda for details) Photos©X/Jos Knaepen
Jeanfrançois live in NYC!
Photo©Jos Knaepen
Jeanfrançois live in Berlin in January:
Photos©Maureen Sickler - NYC